Proverbs 26:4-5 initially appears to give contradictory advice: "DO NOT ANSWER a fool according to his folly, or you will also be like him. ANSWER a fool according to his folly, that he not be wise in his own eyes." The keys to properly interpreting the apparently conflicting advice are the descriptions qualifying the imperative. The objective in the first case is engaging a fool without stooping to his level, using abusive language, character assassination, deflecting and blame-shifting. The goal should be rather narrowly correcting the fool over the issue in dispute, addressing raw facts without being abusive or judgmental of the fool. Of course the fool might still blow you off, but at least you're not communicating like the fool, according to his folly. And methodically sticking to the issue without being disrespectful is potentially corrective. The fool can no longer easily be right in his own eyes. The real issue then in these verses is how we converse with a fool, who would provoke a response in us that is verbally abusive, and abuse returned discredits whatever wisdom we might provide.
Subtly Correcting the Uncorrectable
This episode finishes up the discussion of the eviyl fool and describes the salient characteristics of the kesil fool, the third level fool. Both the simple minded fool (pethey) and the eviyl fool are reachable. Though the eviyl fool is quarrelsome and close-minded, he hasn't "graduated" to full blown wickedness. The best strategy to reach the eviyl fool is dialogue that takes the winner/loser dynamic completely off the table. Eviyl fools want to be right all the time, so what would happen if they met a believer who doesn't contradict them, but humbly acknowledges that he is a wayward soul, always in need of correction? When believers communicate that they are often "wrong" based on God's standard, the only one that really matters, they are essentially tilling the soil of the eviyl's mind, where seeds of correction might germinate. The latter part of the program introduces the "kesil" fool, who, adds wickedness and deceit to the fool package, for "the mind of fools ("kesilim") is in the house of pleasure."
Don’t Cast Pearls before Eviyl
This episode surveys descriptions of the second level fool described in Proverbs, the "eviyl fool." Unlike the pethey fool who is very teachable, to the point of credulity, the eviyl fool despises wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7) "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes" (Proverbs 12:15), and he hates correction. The insecurity of eviyl fools often manifests in quarrelsome behavior: they're not content to be right in their own eyes, for they need to be right in the eyes of others. "Any fool will quarrel." (Proverbs 20:3) Correcting an eviyl fool accomplishes little. "When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, the foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest." (Proverbs 29:9) Wisdom is a threat to fools who hate correction, so predictably rage and/or scoffing are designed to protect the fragile self-image of the fool. This fool is so resistant to correction, that foolishness doesn't depart, "though you pound a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain." (Proverbs 27:22)
Sinners Made Saints: It’s Just the Beginning
This episode mostly addresses the transition from the kingdom of fools to the kingdom of God's beloved son. All saints once partook of the kingdom of fools. Indulging in lusts is the tell-tale sign of fools, and Paul, an outwardly righteous Jew according to Philippians 3:6, acknowledges that he also pursued lusts: "we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath."(Ephesians 3:3) Forgiveness marks the believer's transfer from the kingdom of darkness (fools) into the kingdom of God's beloved Son (Colossians 1:13). Confession that Christ is Lord begins the life-long process of extracting residual foolishness from saints in Christ's kingdom. The episode emphasizes cooperation with the Holy Spirit, who constantly convicts and corrects believers, admonishing them to abandon all sympathy with fooldom. The program also includes 3 criteria that hearers can use to assess their progress in repudiating fooldom.
Take the ‘Fooldom’ Inventory!
This episode sets out criteria for determining if one is a fool and invites the listener to honestly assess where he or she lies on the spectrum of "fooldom." The first test is how do you respond to self-evident truths. Are you correctible or do you tend to double-down, rationalize, or call into question the applicability of the Word of God to your life? Regarding the latter, "fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Proverbs 1:7), and "he who hates correction is stupid." (Proverbs 12:1) Secondly, is the objective of life honoring God in gratitude, or is it mostly about satisfying desires? The episode distinguishes God-given desires from lusts, which amount to an idolatrous pursuit of desires without regard for the honor of God and neighbor. Interestingly, the result of partaking of the divine nature is escaping "the corruption that is in the world by lust." (2 Peter 1:4) Eternal life is not a repudiation of God-given desires, but rather a "renegotiation" where expression of desire is subordinated to love of God and neighbor. The above 2 criteria, based on Romans 1:18-23, help believers assess where they are on the spectrum of "fooldom."
The Underlying Idolatry of a Fool
This episode spells out the consequences of "fooldom," where one prefers "foolish speculations" over the knowledge of God. Declaring in their hearts that "there is no God"(Psalm 14:1), the fool suppresses the available knowledge of God, speaking through creation and conscience. Just as nature abhors a vacuum, fools fill the void with futile speculations, ultimately aiming to "exchange the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man." (Romans 1:23) Self-serving idolatry then is the objective behind the rationalizations and actions of fools, who in varying degrees, resist the knowledge of God in pursuit of their own ends and glory. A common theme of future broadcasts is that "fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7) The underlying idolatry of the above "great exchange" anticipates hostile reactions to any who might correct the fool.
Have a Conversation, NOT an Argument
This episode addresses some common pitfalls that derail effective evangelism. Some in evangelistic encounters are tempted to correct everything a would-be convert says. They feel it's their obligation to set the record straight, particularly if the other party misrepresents a point in theology, a passage in the Bible, or the motives of other Christians. Such a posture is burdensome for evangelists who presume it's their job to "fix" other people. Worse, a nit-picky conversational style puts people on the defensive and rarely leads to further openness to the gospel. Let people be people, expecting confusion or outright nonsense to be verbally expressed. Pray for the Spirit's leading, both when and how to correct. Secondly, if possible, don't use "churchy" language and even adapt Biblical language to the would-be converts word-choices, if it's in the general ballpark. Lastly, don't judge outward appearances, apparent life-style choices, or motives. We are called to preach judgment without being judgmental. Of course, we should honestly answer any question regarding the above, if the Scripture has a clear answer, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. While we speak the sober truths of Scripture, conversation about those truths should be relaxed and without the strings-attached mentality of evangelists with control issues. Sinners were drawn to Jesus but avoided Pharisees for good reason. Jesus saw beyond external secondary issues and uncovered root issues, while Pharisees prioritized external "righteousness" over the heart. The wise evangelist always uses Jesus as the model.